Journal 1

This semester (Spring 2018) I’ll be interning at the non- profit 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) in the West side of Harlem. The size of the company consist of two full time workers, sub contractors/ vendors for public safety, a temp bookkeeper, a temp administration assistant and, interns. Just to give a little background, the 125th Street BID was established into law in 1993 to fuel economic life on the street by developing commercial and service establishments and building up the appearance of the strip. This is the BID’s sole mission, to expand the economic activity by having the President & CEO Barbara Askins along with BID staff operate closely with the property and business owners to help broadcast the opportunities they have to offer the community and its residents. In doing so it encourages the non-stop revitalization of the street as the prime art, culture, and entertainment destination. The businesses, local residents and institutions can be seen as the clients of the BID because essentially the BID aids to the individuals who make up Harlem. We work and strive to make Harlem the go to place whenever you think of New York. Addition we seek to make 125th Street the place you’ll never forget.

Interning at the 125ht Street BID I work in the event planning area of the organization as a Special Events Coordinator. A summarization of what I do is to make sure that every event that we have is successfully executed. In the process of planning an event I usually work with a team of coworkers and we touch a pond everything from the social media promotion to the budgeting of an event.

Just Dunk It campaign
This is new article by The New York Times addresses the constant trash build up problem the 125th Street strip was experiencing due to the new businesses being opened. Individuals from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs released a study to really get insight on the trash build up and they found that the BID could be the ones who could help aid this problem. The BID is responsible for a five-block area that stretches between Morningside and Fifth Avenues so it was seen fit for the organization to handle such matter. Through our “Just Dunk It” program the trash can be more manageable and through stricter enforcement on sanitation laws illegal trash dumping by the public and some businesses will cease to exist.

Holiday Lights on 125th StreetThis short New York Amsterdam News talks about the BID’s 25th Annual Harlem Holiday Lights celebration that kicks off the holidays for all in the Harlem community. It gives you a preview of what you can expect a pond attending this Holiday festival such the in- store activities going on throughout the strip and our very first Silent Party. At this celebration you get entertainment and a sense of the Harlem culture. This is a event filled with excitement, fun and overall joyful vibes throughout the Harlem community.